What is an Adequate Length of Program

A couple of years ago, 90 day treatment programs became the new gold standard for addiction treatment. For years, research study has shown that individuals who participate in a longer treatment plan have a lower rate of relapse. A 1999 study released in the Archives of General Psychiatry discovered that

* Research published in 1999 by Bennett Fletcher, a senior research psychologist at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has shown that though 90 days isn’t a magic number, anything less than that tends to increase the chances of relapse. One study, of 1,605 cocaine users, looked at weekly cocaine use in the year after treatment. It found that 35% of people who were in treatment for 90 days or fewer reported drug use the following year compared with 17% of people who were in treatment for 90 days or longer.
But how do I know if the 90 day treatment program is ideal for me? Exactly what are the benefits and drawbacks to a longer stay in rehab? To help respond to these questions, we have actually assembled a quick list of the advantages and disadvantages of 90 day treatment program.

PROS

A longer stay in rehab provides:

The ability to concentrate on your healing. In 28– One Month rehab, the very first week or so is concentrated on detoxing and the physical and psychological side of healing. Even after that, some may require additional time to transition and focus. Numerous guests are likewise distracted throughout the last week, focusing more on leaving than discovering. This leaves very little time for reliable learning. On the other hand, a longer program permits visitors to immerse themselves 24/7 into treatment activities.
More time to master the skills of recovery. Short-term programs do not provide enough time to master the skills required for life outside of rehab. Skills such as managing social relationships, participating in dispute resolution and exercising personal discipline are necessary for lasting sobriety. And like any other skill, they require practice. As all of us know, the more your practice, the better prepared you will be.
A breather from the demands and temptations of life. Sometimes, Thirty Days is just insufficient of a “getaway” from the stress factors of life. A longer stay within the safety of rehab boosts your healing muscles so you will be prepared for the temptations outside rehab.
A richer knowing experience. A longer program permits you to dig deeper into the principles of healing and gain from detailed education sessions. Duffy’s prolonged care program uses a separate academic curriculum, relapse avoidance series, and include Steps 4– 7 from the Big Book.
A chance to change a practice. Scientific evidence shows it takes approximately 90 days for the brain to reset itself and get rid of the results of an addiction. Researchers discovered re-engaging of choice making and analytical functions in the prefrontal cortex of the brain after an addict has abstained for at least 90 days.
Better results. Not only does 90 day rehab reduce the chances of relapse, however research study also shows that a longer remain in rehabilitation increases the probability of getting employed. Inning accordance with a research study funded by the substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), people who stayed in treatment longer than 90 days were 22– 43% most likely to be utilized in the year following treatment than those who remained a shorter time.

CONS

The downsides of long-lasting rehabilitation include:

Expense. Price is the greatest downside to long-term rehab.
Conflict with work and home responsibilities. Not surprisingly, 60 or 90 days away from home can be extremely disruptive to your life. Taking two or three months off of work or school is a challenge for lots of workers and students. Additionally, ending other dedications– who will get the kids? who will get the mail?– requires a considerable amount of sacrifice.
You may think you are conserving more with a shorter treatment strategy, but the possibility of relapse might cost you more time and money in the end.

EVERYBODY IS DIFFERANT

There is no “magic number” to treatment, and we’re definitely not saying that a much shorter treatment program does not work. Truth is, the very best plan for you depends on … you. The “gold standard” of treatment losses its worth unless it is based upon individual requirements. Nevertheless, research finds that long-lasting drug rehab is especially appropriate for specific individuals:

Those who have utilized drugs by injections
Those who have a long history of dependency
Those who currently have a history of treatment and regression
Those who have a severe drug or alcohol problem
IS IT WORTH IT?

Although a longer rehabilitation may imply more time and more money, the long-term goals are considerable in relation to your quality of life. Think of it: the effect of addiction on your health, relationships, and finances might eclipse the financial cost of treatment. Rehab isn’t really just a monetary problem: it’s a financial investment– a financial investment into your life. A longer treatment stay may need sacrifice, however the ultimate goal (a satisfying life without drugs or alcohol) may be well worth the expense.